Helpful Books for World Builders

Here is a listing of books that
you may find helpful. Some are, in my opinion, 'must reads',
others are just helpful books that I have come across.

Check out your library to see
what is available to you. You will need to look for two kinds
of books: those with clearly laid out, factual content (these
may be text books) and those with illustrations to help you visualize,
integrate, and illustrate what you are learning. Some of this
second type may be in the children's section. I usually check
there!

I do not expect all members
of the group to read all the books. You should divide up the
reading, take notes, and share what you have learned with your
group, then see if you have found ideas that will help in putting
your planet together. Each of you will have opportunities to
'be the expert' on many particular issues. Study hard, advise
as well as you can, and enjoy!

Some of you may find areas of
particular interest that you want to really follow up and develop.
As the planets take form, reading lists will diverge. Different
planets will show different areas of emphasis within the basic
framework. This is as it should be. If you feel that you are
getting really far out, check with me for feedback.

WARNING: Students, I have deviated from standard bibliographic
format. If you cite any of these books, remember to put the author
ahead of the title, not after it, as I have done here.

This page is always under construction. Your
suggestions for further readings are welcome.
The bibliography is subdivided into

This book describes and compares the four
innermost planets in our solar system. There is a section on
planetary surfaces, including meteorite impacts and wind erosion,
and a section on plate tectonics and volcanism. There are many
black and white photographs.

The third book of his 'After Man' series.
Covers the topics of evoltion (including convergence) quite well.
Educational, with lots of entertaining imagery.

After Man: A Zoology of the Future.

Dixon, Dougal. (1981). New York: St Martin's
Press.

Inspirational pictures of possible further
changes in animals in the evolution of the future.

The Blind Watchmaker: Why the Evidence
of Evolution Reveals a Universe Without Design.

Dawkins, Richard. (1987). New York: W. W.
Norton and Company.

'Time Frames'

Eldrige. Niles (1988?)

A book examining punctuated equilibria.

Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the
Nature of History.

Gould, Stephen Jay. (1989). New York: W. W.
Norton and Company.

An interesting examination of organisms just
after the sudden pre-Cambrian explosion of life forms. This book
also illustrates how scientists work to interpret what they find.
A must read on topics in evoltion (puncutated equilibria, etc
. . .) and on the potential for life's diversity.